Thread: Fish/Depth finder with GPS

1. Best make and model for the money is a broad question for which you will probably get many answers. Read this thread for some discussion.

2. Don't know about moving it around. Most transducer cables are not long enough I don't think, and I haven't heard of any extra long cable options. Perhaps there is a transducer extension that I am not aware of? Some guys mount the console unit on a Ram mount so it can easily be turned around to be seen from the bow. All that said, I personally want to know exactly how deep I am exactly underneath me while at the bow. There often can be a lot of depth difference b/t bow and stern.

3. I have had a skimmer type transducer on my TM for a long time with no problems. The skimmer type can kick up in the mount if it hits something and maybe that is why I haven't had any breaking issues? I have read of some folks mounting shoot through hull transducers in aluminum boats with good success, though I haven't tried it personally. With a shoot through, you still have to mount a temp probe on the outside if you want temp readings on the locator. Again, I have had a skimmer type on my current boat since 2005 with no issues. It reads while at speed on pad and hasn't broken off yet (knock on a wood stump).

Just my $0.01 (inflation)....

By the way, I have an aluminum Xpress boat probably similar to yours.

A shoot through hull transducer will not work on a aluminum boat as for moving the head unit back and forth you would have to purchase 2 sets of of cords and transducer

Originally Posted by crappie crazy

A shoot through hull transducer will not work on a aluminum boat as for moving the head unit back and forth you would have to purchase 2 sets of of cords and transducer

Thanks so much for the responses. Looking at HB 597 combo.

Originally Posted by crappie crazy

A shoot through hull transducer will not work on a aluminum boat as for moving the head unit back and forth you would have to purchase 2 sets of of cords and transducer

I haven't seen it myself and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but I have read that it can work, as odd as it may seem. Whether it can or does actually work, I have no idea.

http://vexilar.com/pages/accessories...sducers_au.php

Che if I were you I would try to pick up a cheaper unit or used unit for behind the wheel and buy a good one for the trolling motor. You can buy a good transducer shield for around 50 bucks. As Winger said you'll want to know exactly whats under you at the bow. I've got a HB 597ci hd di and I'm happy with it. Both Lowrance and HB have thier pros and cons. I think the HB's ability to give 2d and di in their $650 units is very useful. I think the Lowrance di is a little better than HB and also has a little fewer problems with operating their GPS. But the Lowrance unit at that price only has di with no 2d sonar. Personally I like having both. I can use the split screen that shows both and get better sonar returns on fish. The GPS on the HB doesn't want to give you a directional arrow towards your target if you're moving slow. But you can compensate by moving a little quicker. The GPS is accurate at getting you to your target, just a little aggravating sometimes. If I could do it all over again, I'd probably save more money and buy a larger screen unit with si, di and 2d. My unit has helped me catch more fish, but a bigger screen and si would be so much better. Just my opinion, for whatever its worth.

Bigger is better when looking for SI and DI units I personally run and recccomend humminnbird but as he says the gps would be better with a arrow but it is really only a small problem to compensate for wait if you have to to get a bigger unit if you can

Originally Posted by CrappieWhisperer

Che if I were you I would try to pick up a cheaper unit or used unit for behind the wheel and buy a good one for the trolling motor. You can buy a good transducer shield for around 50 bucks. As Winger said you'll want to know exactly whats under you at the bow. I've got a HB 597ci hd di and I'm happy with it. Both Lowrance and HB have thier pros and cons. I think the HB's ability to give 2d and di in their $650 units is very useful. I think the Lowrance di is a little better than HB and also has a little fewer problems with operating their GPS. But the Lowrance unit at that price only has di with no 2d sonar. Personally I like having both. I can use the split screen that shows both and get better sonar returns on fish. The GPS on the HB doesn't want to give you a directional arrow towards your target if you're moving slow. But you can compensate by moving a little quicker. The GPS is accurate at getting you to your target, just a little aggravating sometimes. If I could do it all over again, I'd probably save more money and buy a larger screen unit with si, di and 2d. My unit has helped me catch more fish, but a bigger screen and si would be so much better. Just my opinion, for whatever its worth.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Doesn't the lowrance cost quiet a bit more for di? Or does that come on the hds5 gen2? I've been trying to compare.

I do have an in dash lowrance at the console. I would mount the unit primarily at the trolling motor but I would like to use it to navigate to the waypoints also. That's why I asked if anyone had ever placed mounts at the console and front of the boat?

Che one thing you may consider is you could change over to a mk terrova with I pilot, that away you can navigate from the consol and just hit spot lock from there on the TM.